Megadeth" title="Search for Megadeth">Megadeth’s new album Endgame will be released September 15th, starring new guitarist Chris Broderick (formerly in Jag Panzer). As a longtime Megadeth-fan, I’m very curious what this new record will bring about, as I have to admit that I’ve lost my interest bit by bit after Rust in Peace, in my opinion their masterpiece. The next albums were good as well, I really can appreciate Countdown To Extinction, Cryptic Writings and  United Abominations for instance, but they miss the power, wildness, rock ‘n roll and extremely awesome guitar solos of their former work. It seems like Megadeth has lost this wild spirit and turned to a more soft, modest sound. Will this new album be a follow-up to this new sound, or will it grip back to wilder times..?

The first track of this album put me in the front of my seat, as it contains 2:26 minutes of thrashy guitar wildness; I say welcome to Chris Broderick! I like him already. I was blown away further when the second track started, this is Megadeth back to its roots of Peace Sells, But Who’s Buying/Rust in Peace, but even more loud! To my great satisfaction, and for all other older-Megadeth fans too, the album delivers many more songs of this kind, such as '1320', 'Bite the Hand' and 'Head Crusher'.

Endgame is no Rust in Peace pt. 2, however. It also has some more lower-tempo tracks on it, such as '44 Minutes' and the beautiful ‘heavy ballad’ 'The Hardest Part of Letting Go… Sealed with a Kiss'. Also superb songs, though personally I like Dave Mustaine’s vocals more in a loud song. Next to this, the album also contains heavy mid-tempo tracks that remind me of Countdown to Extinction, like title track 'Endgame' (one of my favourites), 'Bodies' and 'How The Story Ends'.

In summary, Endgame is a must-must-must-have for all Megadeth-fans! It’s a well-balanced mix between their older wild, energetic and thrash ‘n roll sound, powerful mid-tempo and good slower tracks, everywhere filled up by freakin’ awesome guitar solos. The band certainly made a good asset by taking in Chris Broderick, whose guitar skills are fantastic. Megadeth has woken up again!